Christmas Eve attacks show Tinubu’s government brazenly failing to protect Plateau communities, Nigeria — Amnesty International

Amnesty International, on Monday, condemned Christmas Eve attacks that left over 70 dead and scores injured in Plateau State communities, berating President Bola Tinubu for brazenly failing to protect communities in the state and Nigeria at large.

Amnesty International estimated the number of casualties to be over 70 in a statement shared on its X account on Monday while berating “the Nigerian authorities for failing to end frequent deadly attacks on rural communities of Plateau state.”

“The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the ‘norm.’ President Bola Tinubu said he will enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have — so far — proven to be empty,” Amnesty International said.

The human rights organisation called on Mr Tinubu’s government to go beyond verbal condemnation and to investigate thoroughly, ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Nigerian authorities must impartially and effectively investigate these attacks. President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT must do more than merely condemning these horrific attacks. Suspected perpetrators must be promptly brought to justice,” Amnesty International said.

Over 112 were killed and 47 were injured in armed herdsmen coordinated attacks on at least 12 communities spanning Barkin Ladi and Bokkos council areas on Christmas Eve.

“The attack started on Saturday evening when the herdsmen made separate entries and started butchering people and continued until midnight on Sunday,” a security source said under anonymity to wait for an official police statement. “We don’t know how they obtained the equipment they used but no group should have this capacity.”

However, Tinubu’s government is yet to make an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report. Bayo Onanuga, a media aide to the Tinubu government, was reached for comment on Amnesty International’s criticisms on Monday but declined Peoples Gazette’s call.